Remote smart monitoring system for off-grid PV power generation

The demand for energy and growing concerns for the environment have led to the advancement of sustainable practices such as solar energy generation. Improvements in solar cell technology have led to an increase in photovoltaic (PV) generation, especially in remote regions. In order for PV grid systems to operate successfully, there must be a way to monitor and manage the data that is produced. This paper proposes a smart, remote monitoring system that will allow for an operator to monitor, store, and manage grid data in real-time. The smart monitoring system includes the use of an eGauge Pro smart meter at its heart, sensors, and interconnections with other grid electronics. The eGauge is a smart meter, data logger, and has a built-in web server, that allows it to communicate with the systems sensors, that connect grid devices such as the solar inverters, battery storage system, and solar arrays. An operator can connect the meter into a live grid system and begin capturing sensor data. Once the meter has all of the physical connections necessary, the operator is able to configure the meter through the web server. From the server, all of the sensors are registered, labeled, and available for display numerically and graphically, both locally and remotely. These capabilities provide the ability for grid data to be monitored remotely, anywhere there is network connectivity and customized for in-house or commercial use, packaged in a low-cost system. Thus, unique alerts and notifications are designed to better facilitate grid maintenance and protection.